IONA LIVE Interview with Anthea Sholl & Kirby Reynolds

·20 min·2 clips

Kirby, a self-proclaimed procrastinator, reveals how a teacher helped her block out study hours based on priorities.

The episode begins with a live broadcast from Iona College in Geelong, Australia, hosted by Esther with co-hosts Zoe and Joseph. They introduce guests Kirby Reynolds, a VCE student, and Miss Scholl, a teacher at Iona. Miss Scholl outlines the Victorian Certificate of Education, describing it as a two-year program for years 11 and 12 with options for VCE or VCE Vocational Major. She explains that VCE focuses on university pathways, while VM is more hands-on for trades or work. Kirby discusses her personal VCE experience, including accelerating into general maths in year 10 to get a taste of VCE workload. She notes the transition from year 11 to 12 was significant for her. Miss Scholl details VCE assessments, such as SACs and OATs, and how they contribute to study scores and ATARs. She mentions the Pathways team helps students who don't get their desired ATAR with alternatives like bridging courses. Kirby shares her study habits, revealing she sought help from a teacher to create a schedule blocking out hours based on subject priorities. She emphasizes practice exams as key for VCE success. Miss Scholl advises on subject selection, encouraging students to pick subjects they like and have succeeded in, rather than for scaling benefits. Kirby explains her subject choices, influenced by her goal to become a veterinarian, leading her to take chemistry and biology. Miss Scholl discusses resources like the VCE study room and teacher availability at lunchtimes. She also covers procedures for missing SACs, requiring medical certificates and catch-up sessions after school. The conversation touches on exam formats, with Kirby noting art exams are less weighted than folio work. Miss Scholl highlights the importance of practicing exams to understand command terms like 'compare and contrast'. The episode concludes with thanks to the guests and audience.

As heard by us

A clear, practical primer on VCE choices, careers counselling, and keeping future pathways open.

VCE subject selection is framed here as more than a timetable exercise. In this Iona Live interview, Miss Scholl explains how the Victorian Certificate of Education generally runs across Years 11 and 12, why choices can shape later options, and where the VCE Vocational Major…

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Why you'd press play

You want VCE subject choices to feel clearer before the final online selections arrive.

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